First Novozym 435 lipase-catalyzed Morita–Baylis–Hillman reaction in the presence of amides

Unlocking the function promiscuity of old yellow enzyme to catalyze asymmetric Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction

Exploring the promiscuity of native enzymes presents a promising strategy for expanding their synthetic applications, particularly for catalyzing challenging reactions in non-native contexts. In this study, we explore the promiscuous potential of old yellow enzymes (OYEs) to facilitate the Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction (MBH reaction), leveraging substrate similarities between MBH reaction and reduction reaction. Using mass spectrometry and spectroscopic techniques, we confirm promiscuity of GkOYE in both MBH and reduction reactions. By blocking H- and H+ transfer pathways, we engineer GkOYE.8, which loses its reduction ability but enhances its MBH activity. The structural basis of MBH reaction catalyzed by GkOYE.8 is obtained through mutation studies and kinetic simulations. Furthermore, enantiocomplementary mutants GkOYE.11 and GkOYE.13 are obtained by directed evolution, exhibiting the ability to accept various aromatic aldehydes and alkenes as substrates. This study demonstrates the potential of leveraging substrate similarities to unlock enzyme functionalities, enabling the catalysis of new-to-nature reactions.

Synthesis of imidazole-fused nitrogen-bridgehead heterocycles catalysed by lipase and their antifungal and antimicrobial bioactivity

An effective approach for selective C-N bond formation for synthesising imidazo[1,2-a] pyridine-based heterocycles using porcine pancreatic lipase (PPL) as a biocatalyst has been devised. Under moderate conditions, a series of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-based heterocycle derivatives were synthesised with remarkable selectivity in good-to-excellent yields (89-95%). Further, the antimicrobial and antifungal activities of derivatives 3ha, 3ka, 3fa, 3hc, and 3eb were observed, and they were found to be biologically active in antimicrobial susceptibility tests for Gram-positive bacteria (Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212 and Staphylococcus auris ATCC 25923), Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853) and fungal strains (Candida albicans ATCC 90028 and Candida tropicalis ATCC 750).

Microbial Lipases and Their Potential in the Production of Pharmaceutical Building Blocks

Processes involving lipases in obtaining active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) are crucial to increase the sustainability of the industry. Despite their lower production cost, microbial lipases are striking for their versatile catalyzing reactions beyond their physiological role. In the context of taking advantage of microbial lipases in reactions for the synthesis of API building blocks, this review focuses on: (i) the structural origins of the catalytic properties of microbial lipases, including the results of techniques such as single particle monitoring (SPT) and the description of its selectivity beyond the Kazlauskas rule as the “Mirror-Image Packing” or the “Key Region(s) rule influencing enantioselectivity” (KRIE); (ii) immobilization methods given the conferred operative advantages in industrial applications and their modulating capacity of lipase properties; and (iii) a comprehensive description of microbial lipases use as a conventional or promiscuous catalyst in key reactions in the organic synthesis (Knoevenagel condensation, Morita–Baylis–Hillman (MBH) reactions, Markovnikov additions, Baeyer–Villiger oxidation, racemization, among others). Finally, this review will also focus on a research perspective necessary to increase microbial lipases application development towards a greener industry.

Biosynthesis of cyanobacterin, a paradigm for furanolide core structure assembly

The γ-butyrolactone motif is found in many natural signaling molecules and other specialized metabolites. A prominent example is the potent aquatic phytotoxin cyanobacterin, which has a highly functionalized γ-butyrolactone core structure. The enzymatic machinery that assembles cyanobacterin and structurally related natural products (herein termed furanolides) has remained elusive for decades. Here, we elucidate the biosynthetic process of furanolide assembly. The cyanobacterin biosynthetic gene cluster was identified by targeted bioinformatic screening and validated by heterologous expression in Escherichia coli. Full functional evaluation of the recombinant key enzymes in vivo and in vitro, individually and in concert, provided in-depth mechanistic insights into a streamlined C-C bond-forming cascade that involves installation of compatible reactivity at seemingly unreactive Cα positions of amino acid precursors. Our work extends the biosynthetic and biocatalytic toolbox for γ-butyrolactone formation, provides a general paradigm for furanolide biosynthesis and sets the stage for their targeted discovery, biosynthetic engineering and enzymatic synthesis.

Morita-Baylis-Hillman Reaction: How Do Optimal Enzyme Active Sites Compare with Organocatalysts

Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction attracts significant attention for the synthesis of highly functionalized compounds. It requires multiple catalytic elements for efficient catalysis, making it an appealing target for the design of a...

The Application of Biocatalysis in the Preparation and Resolution of Morita-Baylis-Hillman Adducts and Their Derivatives

The Morita-Baylis-Hillman (MBH) reaction affords highly functionalised allylic alcohols containing a new stereogenic centre. These MBH adducts are very versatile and have been transformed into a large range of products, some of which have medicinal potential. Several examples of asymmetric syntheses of MBH adducts have been reported, although a generally applicable method remains to be developed. Biocatalytic approaches for the synthesis and enzymatic kinetic resolution of MBH adducts have been reported, and are discussed in detail in this review. Enzymes able to catalyse the asymmetric MBH reaction have been identified, but selectivity and efficiency have generally been low. Lipases, esterases and nitrile-converting enzymes have all been successfully applied in the resolution of MBH adducts, with excellent selectivity being realised in most cases.

Screening of Biocatalysts for Synthesis of the Wieland–Miescher Ketone

Lipases, a versatile class of biocatalysts, have been shown to function in non-aqueous media/organic solvents and to possess “promiscuous” catalytic activity for a wide range of organic transformations. In this study, we explored the biocatalytic properties of a library of commercially available lipases by screening them for catalysis of a one-pot synthesis of Wieland–Miescher ketone, an important intermediate in the synthesis of biologically active compounds such as steroids and terpenoids, from methyl vinyl ketone and 2-methyl-1,3-cyclohexanedione. As a direct outgrowth of this screen, we created an optimized procedure for Wieland–Miescher ketone (WMK) synthesis using crude lipase preparations, characterizing both reaction yield and enantiomeric excess. We also identified principal components of the crude lipase mixture through proteomics and present evidence for a non-lipolytic origin of the observed catalysis. Finally, using the optimized conditions developed in this study, we propose a general absorbance-based screening methodology for assessing biocatalytic potential of crude enzyme preparations for synthesis of WMK.

The influence of the isocyanoesters structure on the course of enzymatic Ugi reactions

The impact of isocyanoesters structure on enzymatic three-component Ugi reactions course has been determined. The significant promiscuous ability of enzyme in Ugi-type reaction switching between four (U-4CR) and three (U-3CR) components reactions depending on the size of used isocyanoester. The application of short-chain cyanoesters up to isocyanpropionate leading to product of three component reaction exclusively while longer isocyanobutyrate gives only the product of four component reaction. The limitation of studied enzymatic Ugi reaction is a substrate selectivity of lipases.

Novozym 435: the “perfect” lipase immobilized biocatalyst?

Novozym 435 (N435) is a commercially available immobilized lipase produced by Novozymes with its advantages and drawbacks.

Diastereoselective synthesis of bis(α-aminophosphonates) by lipase catalytic promiscuity

New bis(α-aminophosphonates) were directly prepared with high diastereoselectivity by lipase catalytic promiscuity in the presence of immobilized Candida antarctica lipase.